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The Theme Of Honor In Shakespeare's Henry IV

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There are many different views of honor. To some honor means fame and recognition, to others honor is not even relevant, it is only a word, with no true meaning or substance. The idea of honor meaning fame and recognition comes from Shakespeare's character Hotspur, a nobleman of the time. Whilst the idea that honor is not tangible or necessary comes from another character, Falstaff, a drinker who has very little motivation. Whereas, the third idea of honor is from my own belief. To me honor is about high morals and kindness, as well as pride as from whence you have come. All of the different versions of this "honor" aforementioned are discussed in Shakespeare's Henry IV, honor of fame, the honor of sinful desire and honor of virtuous acts are all major types of honor that are mentioned in this literary work. The honor that gains fame and fortune often seems a very popular type of honor, this is discussed in lines one hundred ninety five through one hundred ninety seven by Hotspur, the nobleman. Hotspur begins to describe honor in this way, "So honor cross it …show more content…

Honor to me is respect, respect of self, respect of others and respect of God. True honor comes from doing a diligent act, indeed, privilege and recognition will come from these actions, but true honor doesn't crave said recognition. In early times honor meant more than simply just integrity. There are two types of honor, horizontal honor, which is the mutual respect given within an exclusive group of equals. Vertical honor is the second type of honor, this honor isn't about mutual respect, but about giving praise and esteem to people who are superior to the other men in the group, this honor is often hierarchical. These honors are very important to recognize, as they are the basis of honor itself. Overall, this is what honor means to

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